reinhardt



Jan. 24, 1956 J. P. REINHARDT 2,732,118

MOVABLE ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed April 26, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ti l.

IN VEN TOR.

JOHN P REINHARDT ATTORNEY Jan. 24, 1956 J. P. REINHARDT 2,732,113

MOVABLE ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed April 26, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN P REINHARDT ATTORNEY 1956 J. P. REINHARDT MOVABLE ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM SUPPORTING STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I k' 2Q as 'III'IIII [dd Filed April 26, 1952 INVENTOR.

JOHN P RE IN HARDT iiin uii ATTORNEY United States Patent MOVABLE ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM SUPPORTING STRUCTURE John P. Reinhardt, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application April 26, 1952, Serial No. 284,564

Claims. (Cl. 2282) The present invention pertains to a movable elevated work platform supporting structure which may be converted in an extended ladder.

This structure may be conveniently disassembled for compact storage when not in use and may also be rearranged to form a rack for the hanging of garments or similar articles.

The device of the present invention is particularly useful in stores, warehouses, machine shops and industrial plants. ln premises of this character, in addition to pipes and other devices, there are lighting fixtures near the ceiling which require maintenance such as the replacement of burned out lamps and regular cleaning of these fixtures. Frequently, there are also high shelves or other spaces used for storage to which access is extremely difiicult with ordinary ladders.

The present invention provides a platform supporting structure comprising a movable base which may be conveniently positioned at any desired location. A ladder of suitable height rises from the base, and at its upper end, it carries a platform suitable for supporting a workman in an elevated position. The platform isprovided with a guard rail to prevent any danger of the workman falling from the platform.

Where work is to be performed at a higher elevation, the platform may be inclined at an angle, to serve as an extension of the ladder.

' The platform and ladder members may also be rearranged vertically on opposite sides of the movable base, and a transverse rod removably positioned to extend between them, the rod being suitable for supporting garment hangers or similar articles.

The movable base portion may also be used separately as a dolly for moving cases and packages around the work area. When so used, the ladder and platform members are removed.

Accordingly, it is among the objects of the invention to provide an elevated work platform supported by a movable base.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plat form supporting structure of this character in which the platform extends outwardly beyond the base, thereby permitting convenient access to areas directly above fixed objects on the floor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a platform of this character which may be rearranged to form an extension ladder.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a device comprising a base portion which may be re arranged 'to support the ladder portion and platform portions of the device each in a vertical position at opposite sides of the base portion, thereby permitting a transverse supporting rod to be extended between the two vertical portions, thus forming a rack suitable for use with garment hangers or similar articles attached to supporting hooks.

()ther and further objects will become apparent upon "ice reading the following specification together with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention arranged for use as an elevated work platform;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the invention as shown Fig. 1, partly broken away; i

Fig. 3 is an end view of the invention as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation taken along the line 44 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation, taken along the line 77 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation taken along the line 88 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation-taken along the line 99 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional bottom view taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an end of the platform member;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the upper end of the vertical ladder supporting member;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional plan view taken along the line 13--13 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; I r

Fig. 15 is a side view showing the embodiment of Fig. 1 rearranged to form an extension ladder;

Fig. 16 is a side view showing the embodiment of Fig. 1 rearranged to form a supporting rack;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary side view illustrating the manner in which the ladder member is secured to the base member when the device is arranged as a rack as shown in Fig. 16.

Referring to Fig. 1, a base member designated generally as 20, is shown provided with four casters 21 which are mounted in the lower ends of four vertical tubular members 22. Tubular members 22 are disposed at the corners of the base member 20, eachof thetubular members 22 serving as a vertical structural element of the base 20. 1

Extending horizontally between adjacent tubular members 22 are four lower structural angles 23 whose ends are secured to the four vertical tubular members 22 adjacent the lowermost portions thereof forming a lower rectangular frame portion for the base member 20. Each of the lower angles 23 is positioned with one leg of its cross-section extending inwardly and the other leg extending vertically upwardly, as may best be seen in Fig. 4.

Extending parallel to and spaced from the lower angles 23 are four upper structural angles 24 whose ends are secured to the four vertical tubular members 22 adjacent the uppermost portions thereof, forming an upper rectangular frame portion for the base member 20. The ends of upper and lower angles 23 and 24 are secured to the vertical tubular members 22 in any convenient manner, as by welding, for example. Each of the upper angles 24 is disposed with one leg of its cross-section extending inwardly and the other leg extending downwardly.

Base member 20 is additionally strengthened by four vertically extending channels 25, two beingdisposed at each end of base member 20 and extending vertically plan view taken along Patented Jan. 24, 1956 v between the upper horizontal angles 24 and the lower angles 23. The channels 25 are disposed between the inwardly extending portions of the upper and lower angles 24 and 23, respectively, and are placed against the inner sides of the vertically extending portions of these angles, with the sides of the channels 25 as directed inwardly.

At each side of base member 20, additional strengthening and rigidity is provided by two diagonal struts 26 which extend from the lower corners of the base member 20 upwardly to the center portion of each of the lateral upper structural angles 24. The struts 26 are secured to the upper and lower angles, as by welding, or in any other convenient manner. Additionally, two vertical struts 27 are centrally disposed, one at each side of base member 20, for the purpose further strengthening said base member 20, particularly in the region Where the ladder member is connected thereto, as described in detail below.

A suitable floor 28 of material such as plywood, for

the premises, the objects to be transported resting on the floor 28, and the base member 20 being moved about at will on the casters 21.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a pair of trunnions or bearing lugs 29 are fixedly secured to the central portions of lateral upper angles 24 directly above the vertical struts 27. A transversely extending rod 30 is journaled in trunnions 29, and is shown as a hollow tube having one end headed over at 31, the other end being prevented from slipping out of trunnion 29 by a retaining device, shown by way of illustration as a cotter pin 32.

A ladder member, designated generally as 33, is provided at its lower end with holes which engage transverse rod 30, thereby securing the ladder member 33 to base member 20. Ladder member 33 comprises a pair of side rails 34 which support a plurality of spaced ladder rungs 35. Ladder portion 33' is stiffened at each side by truss members 36 which are secured directly to the ends of side rails 34 and which are joined together and to a central brace 37 at the center portion of each side rail 34. Additional shorter braces 38 are shown connected between truss members 36 and side rails 34 at positions intermediate to each central brace 37 and at the ends of ladder member 33.

Ladder member 33 is shown positioned at an angle of about 70 degrees with the horizontal. It is maintained in this position by a ladder supporting member designated generally as 40 which extends vertically upwardly from one end of base member 20.

Ladder supporting member 40 comprises two vertical structural angles 41 which are secured together by a plurality of spaced horizontal braces 42. As may best be seen in Fig. 12, each vertical angle 41 carries near its upper end a generally L-shaped hook member 43, which, together with the upper end of the vertical angle, forms a slot adapted to receive and removably retain one of the upper rungs of ladder member 33.

The lower end of ladder supporting member is removably supported on one of the end upper structural angles 24 of base portion 20. Lateral displacement of ladder supporting member 40 is prevented by two upwardly extending fixed blocks of rectangular cross-section 44 which are disposed on the upper side of an end horizontal upper angle 24 and which are spaced therealong for engagement with the inner surfaces of the two vertical angles 41, as may be seen in Figs. 5 and 6.

Longitudinal displacement of the lower end of ladder supporting member 40, with respect to base member 20, is prevented by two vertically upwardlyextending plates 45 which are secured to the outer vertical. side of the end upper horizontal angle 24 spaced from the vertical blocks 44 to provide two slots adapted to removably receive the vertical angles 41.

To prevent accidental disengagement of ladder supporting member 49, either from ladder member 33 or from base member 20, a chain 46 is looped around the ladder rung 35 which engages hook member 43 and the uppermost brace 42 of ladder supporting member 40.

' The ends of chain 46 are suitably held together in any convenient and readily detachable manner. At the lower end of ladder supporting member 40, accidental disengagement from the base member 20 is prevented by a similar chain 47 which is looped around the lowermost brace 42 and the adjacent upper angle 24, preventing upward movement of ladder supporting member 40 without first loosening the chain 47.

Pivotally secured to the upper end of ladder member 33, is a platform member 50, of construction generally similar to that of the ladder member. Platform member 56 is normally disposed in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1 and comprises two longitudinal structural angles 51, their cross-sections being positioned with their upper sides extending outwardly and their lateral portions extending downwardly, as may best be seen in Figs. 7 to 10. Disposed transversely between the downwardly extending portions of longitudinal angles 51 are a plurality of rungs 52, spaced to conform with the spacing of the rungs 35 of ladder member 33, as described in greater detail below.

Platform member 50 is strengthened at each side by two truss members 53 and 54 of structural angle stock, which are joined to the ends of longitudinal angles 51 by four plates 55, the plates 55 being secured to the adjoining vertically extending sides of the horizontal angles 51 and the truss members 53 and 54, as shown in Fig. 11. Centrally of each horizontal angle 51, the truss members 53 and 54 are joined to one end of central tubular socket 56, the other end of each socket 56 being secured to the center of one of the horizontal angles 51. Further rigidity is provided by additional braces 57 located between central sockets 56 and end plates 55.

At either side of platform member 50, a plate 58 is secured to and extends between horizontal angle 51 and truss 53. Plate 58 is provided with a hole 59 adjacent horizontal angle 51. As may best be seen in Fig. 7, a bolt 60 passes through hole 59 in plate 58, and through a similar hole in the upper end of ladder member 33, forming a pivotal support for platform member 50 at the upper end of ladder member 33. Washers 61 maintain lateral spacing between ladder member 33 and platform member 50, one washer 61 being interposed between the upper end of ladder member 33 and plate 58 at each side.

Four additional tubular socket members 62, similar to the central sockets 56, are disposed at the corners of platform member 50, being secured between horizontal angles 51 and trusses 54 at one end, and between horizontal angles 51 and trusses 53 at the opposite end, in proximity to the four end plates 55.

Removably disposed along the sides of platform member 50, is a guard rail designated generally as 66. Guard rail 66 consists of two lateral sections, each section comprising an upper horizontal tubular hand rail 67 carried by three vertically extending tubular legs 68. The central legs are removably supported in central sockets 56 and the end legs in sockets 62. As may best be seen in Figs. 3 and 13, the two sections of guard rail 66 are held together by lateral braces 69 which extend transversely adjacent the ends of hand rails 67. The braces 69 are secured to lugs 70 by bolts 71, thus permitting the two sections of guard rail 66 to be disassembled for convenience in storage when the guard rail is not in use. Moreover, it will be noted that the braces 69, when assembled in position, form hand rails for guard rail 66, thereby providing a guard rail which completely encloses the periphery of platform member 50.

Extending transversely between horizontal angles 51 of platform member 50' are two floor supports 72, one being disposed at one end of platform member 50 and the other in proximity to pivot plate 58. A removable floor 73, of wood or other suitable material, rests on the floor supports 72, extending from the upper end of ladder member 33 to the far end of platform member 50.

Normally, platform member 50 is retained in a. horizontal position by a pair of braces 74 which have their upper ends secured to end plates 55 of platform member 50 by bolts 75, and their lower ends secured to plates 76 of ladder member 33 by bolts 77. The plates 76 are permanently secured between side rails 34 and trusses 36 of ladder member 33. 7

It will be seen, that the entire platform supporting structure will have a tendency to tip over, if any weight is placed on platform floor 73. This is prevented by two removable counterweights 78 which rest on floor 28 of base member 20, each being provided with a handle 79 to facilitate its removal when not required.

The platform supporting structure, as shown in Fig. 1 may readily be converted to an extended ladder as shown in Fig. 15. First, bolts 71 are removed, together with lateral braces 69 leaving guard rail 66 separated into its two component lateral sections. These sections are then lifted from sockets 56 and 62, and the disassembled guard rail 66 and platform floor 73 are then completely removed. Next, bolts 75 are removed from the end plates 55' of platform member 50, and the bolts 77 are removed from plates 76 of ladder member 33, whereupon the braces 74 are removed. Platform member 50 is then tilted so that its horizontal angles, 51 are in alignment with the side rails 34 of ladder member 33. Plate 76 of ladder member 33 is so located with respect to end plates 55 of platform member 50, that their holes therein will be in alignment with platform member 50 when tilted into this position, and one of the bolts 75 or 77 may then be reinserted through these aligned holes to secure platform member 50 in this inclined position, as shown in Fig. 15.

Inthis position, the rungs 52 of platform member 50 fall into uniformly spaced relationship with respect to the rungs 35 of ladder member 33, thereby constituting an extended ladder of greater length than ladder member 33.

The structure may also be rearranged to form a movable rack, as illustrated in Fig. 16. Platform member 50 is completely removed, and is disposed at the left side of base member 20. Similarly, chains 46 and 47 having first been removed, together with ladder supporting member 40, the ladder member 33 is completely removed and is fastened to the right side of base member 50, this being accomplished by the removal of cotter pin 32 from transverse rod 3%), and the removal of rod 30 from its supporting trunnions 29.

As shown in Fig. 17, upper angles 24 of base member 20 and side rails 34 of ladder member 33 are provided with suitably located bolt holes adapted to receive the bolts 79, similar holes being provided in the horizontal angles 51 of platform member 50 and corresponding bolt holes being provided in upper angles 24 of base member 20 at each end thereof. A supporting rod 80 is provided with a downwardly extending hook 81 at each end. One hook extends over a rung 52 of platform member 50 at the left, and the other book extends over a rung 35 of ladder member 33, with the ends of supporting rod 89 abutting the respective rungs, thereby maintaining the upper portions of ladder member 33 and platform member 50 in fixed horizontally spaced relationship. As illustrated in Fig. 16, articles such as garments on garment hangers may be supported by rod 80, and conveniently moved about at will on casters 21.

I have shown what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiments shown, but what I desire to secure by-Letters Patent is. the. invention as-defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A movable platform supporting structure comprisring a wheeled base member, an inclined ladder having its lower end secured to the base member and comprising a plurality of spaced rungs, a platform member pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the upper end of the ladder for swinging movement about a horizontal axis to either a horizontal position or to an inclined position in alignment with said ladder with one end of the platform member extending upwardly beyond the upper end of the ladder, said platform member comprising a plurality of spaced rungs in the portion thereof extending beyond the ladder, a floor member removably mounted on said platform member over the rungs thereof, a first connecting means on the opposite end of the platform, a second connecting means on an intermediate portion of the ladder, said connecting means being spaced an equal radial distance from said pivotal axis of said platform member, a removable. brace member having means at the opposite ends thereof for connection with each of said two connecting means, respectively, to support said platform member in said horizontal position, and means for mutually securing said connecting means to each other to maintain said platform member in said inclined position.

2. in combination, a base having a bottom, sides and ends and being mounted on wheels, a pair of aligned bearing lugs at the sides of the base, a horizontal transverse bar mounted on said bearing lugs, a ladder provided with rungs, means to pivotally connect the lower end of the ladder to said horizontal bar, a vertical support, means at one end of the base to slidably receive the lower end of said vertical support, a hook on said support disengageably engaging a rung of the ladder to retain said ladder inclined upwardly toward said end of said base, a horizontal platform, a pivotal connection between the upper end of the ladder and a portion of the platform spaced from one end thereof, one end of the platform overlying the ladder and another part of the platform extending beyond the ladder, and a pair of link braces inclined oppositely to the ladder interconnecting the ladder with said end of said platform, said links being removable and said platform being swingable about its pivotal connection to the ladder, upon removal of said links, into alignment with the ladder so that a portion of the platform extends upwardly beyond the ladder, and said eX tending portion of the platform being provided with rungs.

3. In combination, a base having a bottom, sides and ends and being mounted on wheels, a pair of aligned bearing lugs at the sides of the base, a horizontal transverse bar mounted on said bearing lugs, a ladder provided with rungs, means to pivotally connect the lower end of the ladder to said horizontal bar, a vertical support, means at one end of the base to slidably receive the lower end of said vertical support, a hook on said support disengageably engaging a rung of the ladder to retain said ladder inclined upwardly toward said end of said base, a horizontal platform, a pivotal connection between the upper end of the ladder and a portion of the platform spaced from one end thereof, one end of the platform overlying the ladder and another part of the platform extending beyond the ladder, and a pair of link braces inclined oppositely to the ladder interconnecting the ladder with said end of said platform, said links being removable and said platform being swingable about its pivotal connection to the ladder, upon removal of said links, into alignment with the ladder so that a portion of the platform extends upwardly beyond the ladder, said extending portion of the platform being provided with rungs, vertical tubes fixed to said platform, and a guard rail having portions removably received in said tubes.

4. In combination, a base having abottom, sides and ends and being mounted on wheels, a pair of aligned bearing lugs at the sides of the base, a horizontal transverse bar mounted on said bearing lugs, a ladder provided with rungs, means to pivotally connect the lower end of the ladder to said horizontal bar, a vertical support, means at one end of the base to slidably receive the lower end of said vertical support, a hook on said support disengageably engaging a rung of the ladder to retain said ladder inclined upwardly toward said end of said base, a horizontal platform, a pivotal connection between the up per end of the ladder and a portion of the platform spaced from one end thereof, one end of the platform overlying the ladder, and another part of the platform extending beyond the ladder, and a pair of link braces inclined oppositely to the ladder interconnecting the ladder with said end of said platform, said links being removable and said platform being swingable about its pivotal connection to the ladder, upon removal of said links, into alignment with the ladder so that a portion of the platform extends upwardly beyond the ladder, said extending portion of the platform being provided with rungs, said vertical support member comprising a pair of parallel side members interconnected by transverse members, a chain interconnecting the base with one transverse member of said vertical support, and a chain interconnecting another transverse member on said vertical support with the rung of the ladder engaged by the hooks on the vertical support.

5. In combination, a base, a ladder provided with rungs, means to pivotally connect the lower end of the ladder to said base about a horizontal axis, a ladder support, means to attach the lower end of the support to the base, means at the upper end of the ladder support disengageably engaging a rung of the ladder to retain the ladder inclined upwardly, a horizontal platform, a pivotal connection between the upper end of the ladder and a portion of the platform spaced from one end thereof, one end of the platform overlying the ladder and another part of the platform extending beyond the ladder, link brace means inclined oppositely to the ladder interconnecting the ladder with said one end of said platform, said link brace means being removable and said platform being swingable about its pivotal connection to the ladder upon removal of said link brace means, into alignment with the ladder so that a portion of the platform extends upwardly beyond the ladder, and said extending portion of the platform being provided with rungs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 150,888 Porta May 12, 1874 310,434 Huber Jan. 6, 1885 575,397 Hilliker Jan. 19, 1897 784,190 Stoneking Mar. 7, 1905 854,253 Stoops May 21, 1907 1,222,150 Simmons Apr. 10, 1917 1,335,652 Calarco Mar. 30, 1920 1,757,912 Langlois May 6, 1930 1,761,726 Havens June 3, 1930 2,371,092 Williams Mar. 6, 1945 2,512,150 Geren June 20, 1950 2,553,322 Kurmer May 15, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 337 Great Britain Jan. 5, 1897 6.397 Great Britain Mar. 28, 1895 

